August 2016 Volume 17 • Issue 194 | Page 21

Marsh & Bayou ’ s

Fishing Forecast

Mississippi Coast
by Alex Smith www . alexsmithfishing . com
The hot weather makes for a difficult pursuit when chasing speckled trout . We all know that August brings some of the highest temperatures of the year with the good news being that fall is right around the corner . The nights should start to cool off , in turn , cooling water temperatures . With fall approaching , here are some tips to help you have a more productive day on the water .
Over the past few weeks , the trout bite has been very short in the mornings . As soon as the sun shows itself on the horizon , the fish immediately turn on . They are hitting a mix of Vudu shrimp , Matrix Shad , and the occasional topwater . While the bite is great it , it is short lived . The heat pushes those fish off of the flats and back down into the depths . As the nights begin to lower the temperature of the surface , the bite should start to last longer . With the bite transitioning , it ’ s time to consider what locations are better .
As previously mentioned , the fish are migrating from the shallow flats
and moving down to deeper water . Choosing a location that provides both shallow and deep water to maximize your efforts . Areas like Katrina Reef , the Cat Walk , and Gene
Taylor Reef are some great places to start . Areas containing oyster bottoms or rocky structures hold some of the largest fish this time of year .
Hopefully the approach of fall will bring with it bountiful catches for everyone . Tight lines .
Delacroix
by Capt . Rykert O . Toledano , Jr . While Away Fishing Charters .
( 985 ) 778-1150
As we enter the month of August we realize that once again the true summertime fishing pattern has arrived . The interesting part of this observation is that summertime fishing pattern which use to arrive in June has for the last few years shown itself deep into July . Nevertheless the water is right on the outside and fish are to be found in all of the traditional spots .
There is still some river water entering into Brenton Sound and Black Bay that impacts the Balledore Reef Area depending upon the dominate winds . Last week when I made a run to Batola I encountered several Lilly pad patches which is a clear indicator of fresh water intrusion . Your focus should be in the area moving from Bay Gardene and Bell Island across the East through Stone and Lonesome Island , the Compressor , the Wreck Rig , Five Wells area and Lake Fortuna . Live bait is definitely your best choice at this time and it is critical that you take necessary steps to keep your bait cool and the water circulating . In this heat if you fail to do so your trip will change from a live to dead bait adventure . As the heat of the day builds look for areas that hold deeper moving water as that water will be cooler and you will find that most of your fish have moved into these deeper troughs . Particularly at this time of year it is important to not sit on one spot for an extended period of time . If you are there for ten or fifteen minutes and you have approached in a quiet fashion move on if you have not had any bites . Every summer I remind our readers that they should be extremely sensitive to the storms of August as lightning and heavy winds can become very dangerous . Always make good decisions on the water and err on the side of safety for yourself and your passengers . Importantly find a weekend to take your children or grandchildren fishing this month before they return to school . Call me at ( 985 ) 778-1150 at any time for current suggestions and any help I can provide . Have a great time on the water and be safe . Captain Rykert O . Toledano , Jr . While Away Fishing Charters .
For more fishing tips on targeting inshore trophy fish , visit my Facebook page , Alex Smith Fishing . My blogs are also available on my website http :// www . alexsmithfishing . com . For all questions , contact me at ( 228 ) -669- 2317 or email alexsmithfishing @ gmail . com .
August 2016 www . marshandbayou . com
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